During the military operation to arrest Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela’s air defence systems were quickly taken out of the equation by a US Navy squadron nicknamed the “Zappers”, which operates the Boeing EA-18G Growler aircraft.
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As many as 150 US warplanes were part of the mission, including F-22s, F-35s, F-18 jet fighters and B-1 bombers, along with the Growlers. Specialising in electronic warfare (EW), the Growler is fitted with large pods under its wings and belly to suppress enemy air defences (SEAD) and jam enemy radars and communications. Its Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) suite and open mission systems enable integrated electronic-attack effects that protect friendly forces, shape the battlespace and support interoperable tactics with allied platforms, Boeing claims.
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Derived from the F/A-18F Super Hornet and built to replace the EA-6B Prowler, the Growler’s electronic warfare suite includes ALQ-218 receivers, ALQ-99 jamming pods and AGM-88 HARM missiles. According to the US Navy, it has yet to lose a Growler in combat. The aircraft can also be equipped with a pair of AIM-120 AMRAAM (Slammer) missiles and two AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles).
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The carrier-based airborne electronic attack aircraft has been in operation since 2009. It has a wingspan of 44.9 feet, a length of 60.2 feet and a height of 16 feet. It is operated by a pilot and a co-pilot who specialise in electronic warfare, and can reach a maximum speed of 1,381 mph, The Wall Street Journal said in a report. The aircraft is capable of operating at altitudes of more than 50,000 feet and has a weight of 16.55 tonnes. Its price in 2021 was around $67 million, the report added. Apart from the US Navy, the jets are also operated by Australia.
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Venezuela possessed Russian S-300 missile-defence systems as well as Chinese radar systems. However, these radars were not among the most advanced available on the market and were easy targets for the Zappers, reports said. By neutralising enemy sensors, they ensured that helicopters, bombers and fighters were able to operate safely and freely in the skies over Caracas.
